Abstract: Composites having a polymer or natural leather skin layer and a polyurethane foam layer are made in a molding process. The polyurethane foam layer is made from a foam formulation that includes certain polyester polyols. The presence of the polyester polyol improves flow characteristics of the foam formulation. The foam so produced has unexpectedly low quantities of VOCs.

Abstract: A polishing pad is provided. The polishing pad, suitable for polishing an object, includes a polishing layer and at least one groove. The polishing layer has a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. The at least one groove is disposed in the polishing layer, wherein the at least one groove has two ends both located in the peripheral region, wherein the two ends include an open end and a closed end.

Abstract: A process can be used for producing foam panels, for the production of foam films, composed of a polymer having a glass transition temperature Tg of at least 100° C. An average cell diameter of the foam panels measured according to the standard ASTM D 3576 is between 20 ?m and 250 ?m, and less than 20 cells having a diameter >260 ?m are present per m2. The elongation at break of the foam is 4%-13% measured according to ASTM D 638.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions to use in biofouling-resistant coatings, biofouling-resistant coatings, methods of making biofouling-resistant coatings, biofouling-resistant devices, and methods of making biofouling-resistant devices.

Abstract: A mold comprising a first mold element and a second mold element releasingly engagable between an open position and a closed position to define a mold cavity in the closed position and a first part line between the first mold element and second mold element. The first mold element comprises a first mold portion and a second mold portion configured to be reversible separable with respect to one another to define a second part line therebetween disposed interiorly with respect to a periphery of the first part line. At least one vent is disposed in the second part line. In one embodiment, the at least one vent comprises a passageway configured to permit mold material in the mold cavity to enter but not to exit the passageway to cause at least partial curing of the mold material in the passageway.

Abstract: A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom. A steam/hot air path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move through the passage. The apparatus also includes a stop member for engaging the associated container assembly and holding in the passage for a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom, and the inlet is located vertically above the outlet such that the associated container assembly and associated sleeve move from the inlet toward the outlet. A steam path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move downwardly through the passage and the steam naturally rises upwardly through the passage.

Abstract: A polishing pad is provided. The polishing pad, suitable for polishing an object, includes a polishing layer and at least one groove. The polishing layer has a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. The at least one groove is disposed in the polishing layer, wherein the at least one groove has two ends both located in the peripheral region, wherein the two ends include an open end and a closed end.

Abstract: A composite membrane including carbide-derived carbon (CDC) particles deposited onto a surface of an intermediate layer which is supported on a porous polysulfone substrate. The intermediate layer contains reacted units of a polyfunctional acyl halide (e.g. trimesoyl chloride) and polydopamine. Methods of making the composite membrane via techniques such as filtration-assisted deposition of CDC particles and interfacial polymerization are specified. Water flux and oil rejection (e.g. diesel) performances of the composite membrane are evaluated. A method of separating an organic compound, such as hydrocarbons, from an aqueous sample utilizing the membrane is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithium-ion battery separator is disclosed. The method comprises: cooling and shaping a liquid-phase stabilization system containing polyethylene, stretching to enlarge pores, extracting with a solvent, and heat-setting to obtain a lithium-ion battery separator, wherein the stretching includes pre-stretching and synchronous bidirectional stretching, and the pre-stretching is completed before the synchronous bidirectional stretching.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for benzene hydroxylation for preparation of phenol and a preparation method thereof, wherein said catalyst uses a mesoporous material as carrier, and the catalyst is prepared by first modifying the surface of the carrier using aminosilane, then immersing with acetylacetonate salt of metal, and finally washing and drying. Advantage of the invention is that a reactive metal is loaded on the silane-modified mesoporous material to form a homogeneous-heterogeneous composite catalyst, wherein, the reactive metal component is present in a reaction system in a homogeneous form, which ensures high catalytic performance of the catalyst component, and it is loaded on the carrier through bridging action of aminosilane, which improves the acting force between the metal component and the carrier, enhances stability of the catalyst, and facilitates separation of the catalyst from the product.

Abstract: Described are silicon carbide filters for use with liquid metals such as liquid tin, as well as methods of using such a filter to remove particles from the liquid metal, and systems and processes that use the filtered liquid metal.

Abstract: A method for forming a membrane includes a step of dissolving a lithium salt in a solution including an ionomer that includes protogenic groups to form a modified solution. A membrane is formed from the solution containing the lithium salt and the ionomer that includes protogenic groups. The membrane is dried and then contacted with water to form a plurality of pores therein.

Abstract: A polyethylene microporous membrane has a Gurley air permeability of 1 to 1,000 sec/100 mL/25 ?m, wherein the total length of waviness widths in the width direction of the polyethylene microporous membrane is not more than one-third of the overall width of the microporous membrane. The polyethylene microporous membrane has excellent planarity without compromising any other important physical property such as permeability.

Abstract: The present specification discloses porogen compositions comprising a core material and shell material, methods of making such porogen compositions, methods of forming such porous materials using such porogen compositions, biocompatible implantable devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such biocompatible implantable devices.

Abstract: A light wood-containing material having an average density in the range from 200 to 600 kg/m3, comprising, based in each case on the wood-containing material: A) from 30 to 95% by weight of wood particles; B) from 1 to 25% by weight of a filler having a bulk density in the range from 10 to 150 kg/m3, selected from the group consisting of foamable plastic particles and already foamed plastic particles; C) from 0.1 to 50% by weight of a binder and, if appropriate, D) additives, the following relationship being true for the d? values according to Rosin-Rammler-Sperling-Bennet of the wood particles A) and of the particles of the filler B): d? of the particles A) ?2.5×d? of the particles B).

Abstract: A porous electrolytic composite membrane for electrochemical energy systems, such as alkaline fuel cells, metal-air batteries and alkaline electrolyzers, comprises a porous polymeric material and nanomaterials. The polymeric material is preferably polybenzimidazole (PBI). The nanomaterials are preferably functionalized or non-functionalized. The nanomaterials are preferably titania nanotubes and/or graphene oxide nanosheets. The membrane further comprises an electrolyte solution, such as KOH. A method of preparing the membrane is also provided.

Abstract: A baffle for sealing a vehicle structure, comprising a carrier with an interior body portion characterized by a plurality of spaced-apart members, providing voids, and an expandable material, that may also have openings, disposed on the carrier which, upon expansion, fills a vehicle cavity and covers the interior body portion and each of the voids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easy-to-apply, but versatile method for modifying the physical and chemical resistance properties of expanded polyester products, such as fire retardancy and hydrolysis resistance, by melt-modification of the surface layer(s) of said foams and sponges, the manufacturing of such products and the use of such products.

Abstract: Disclosed are void-containing polyester shrink films which show excellent density retention upon exposures to high temperatures. The films have high shrinkage and retain their low density after processing under conditions of temperature and moisture used in typical recycling processes. The films are useful for sleeve label and other shrink film applications, and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations. Also disclosed is a process for void-containing polyester shrink films having high shrinkage and low density after exposure to elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the modification of metal hydroxide and/or metal oxide surfaces of an inorganic matrix with an organometallic reagent for obtaining an organic functionalized matrix suitable for filtration processes. The method involves the direct covalent binding of organic functional groups by allowing a pre-treated matrix to react with organometallic reagents in the present of a suitable solvent. The present invention further relates to an organic functionalized matrix obtainable or obtained by carrying out a method according to the invention. The invention also provides various uses of a surface-modified matrices as described herein in various industrial applications, including for instance in filtration and/or adsorption and/or separation processes, or as support, e.g. for catalyst systems or for enzyme systems.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a porous ultra-thin polymer film, and a method for producing said porous ultra-thin polymer film. The present invention provides a porous ultra-thin polymer film with a film thickness of 10 nm-1000 nm. In addition, the present invention provides a method for producing a porous ultra-thin polymer film, comprising the steps of: dissolving two types of mutually-immiscible polymers in a first solvent in an arbitrary proportion to obtain a solution; applying the solution onto a substrate and then removing the first solvent from the solution applied onto the substrate to obtain a phase-separated ultra-thin polymer film that has been phase-separated into a sea-island structure; and immersing the ultra-thin polymer film in a second solvent which is a good solvent for the polymer of the island parts but a poor solvent for a polymer other than the island parts to remove the island parts, thereby obtaining a porous ultra-thin polymer film.

Abstract: A method for cooling a foamed ribbon-shaped extrudate strand (3) is performed in a plant which comprises an extruder (8), a die (1), a vacuum cooling device (2) and a cooling drum. A polymer melt containing a blowing agent is produced in the extruder (8). The extrudate containing the blowing agent is guided to the die (1), whereby the die has an opening (7), through which a ribbon-shaped extrudate strand (3) is produced which foams in or after the die (1) to a foamed ribbon-shaped extrudate strand (13). The ribbon-shaped plastic foamed or foamable extrudate strand (13) is cooled first by a static vacuum cooling device (2, 25, 26), so as to obtain a precooled foamed ribbon-shaped extrudate strand (23) and the precooled foamed ribbon-shaped extrudate strand (23) is guided over a cooling drum (40, 41, 42). The precooled foamed ribbon-shaped extrudate strand (23) is in contact with the cooling drum over a wrap angle of at least 20°, such that the precooled foamed ribbon-shaped extrudate strand (23) is cooled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for producing a hollow porous film, the device comprising a spinning nozzle that discharges/shapes a film-forming resin solution dissolved to at least a hydrophobic polymer to a favorable solvent, a processing vessel that houses a processing gas containing a nonsolvent of the hydrophobic polymer and includes a first opening through which the film-forming resin solution discharged/shaped from the spinning nozzle is introduced, and a second opening from which the film-forming resin solution having come into contact with the gas containing the nonsolvent of the hydrophobic polymer is led, a solidification tank which houses a solidification solution and into which the film-forming resin solution led from the second opening is introduced; and gas elimination means for eliminating the processing gas, which flows out of the first opening, from the vicinity of the spinning nozzle.

Abstract: There is described a padded element comprising a foam substrate having disposed therein a first internal surface and a second internal surface opposed to the first internal surface, the first internal surface being interposed between an outer surface of the foam substrate and the second internal surface, at least one of the first internal surface and the second internal surface comprising a textured portion. In a highly preferred embodiment, the pair of internal surfaces disposed within the body of the foam substrate combine to form one or more cavities in the foam substrate (e.g., by the provision of one internal surface have a textured portion and the other internal surface being untextured). The provision of such a textured surface creates a contacting interface (either at rest or when an occupant sits on the seat) between below or remote from the A-surface of the foam element. This interface has different properties than the exposed surface of the seating element.

Abstract: A polyethylene microporous membrane has a Gurley air permeability of 1 to 1,000 sec/100 mL/25 ?m, wherein the total length of waviness widths in the width direction of the polyethylene microporous membrane is not more than one-third of the overall width of the microporous membrane. The polyethylene microporous membrane has excellent planarity without compromising any other important physical property such as permeability.

Abstract: A method for making a shapeable article from poly(lactic acid) includes treating solid poly(lactic acid) that results in the solid poly(lactic acid) having a crystallinity of at least 20% by weight based on the weight of the solid poly(lactic acid) and a gas concentration of 6% to 16% by weight based on the weight of the solid poly(lactic acid); and heating the solid poly(lactic acid) having said minimum crystallinity and gas concentration to produce a cellular poly(lactic acid) article that is shapeable. The shapeable cellular poly(lactic acid) article is advantageous in that the article can be further shaped by heat and/or pressure (or vacuum), such as via thermoforming, into a variety of useful products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous manganese oxide-based lithium absorbent and a method for preparing the same. The method includes the steps of preparing a mixture by mixing a reactant for the synthesis of a lithium-manganese oxide precursor powder with an inorganic binder, molding the mixture, preparing a porous lithium-manganese oxide precursor molded body by heat-treating the molded mixture, and acid-treating the porous lithium-manganese oxide precursor molded body such that lithium ions of the porous lithium-manganese oxide precursor are exchanged with hydrogen ions, wherein pores are formed in the lithium-manganese oxide precursor molded body by gas generated in the heat treatment. The porous manganese oxide-based lithium adsorbent according to the present invention is easy to handle and has many more adsorption reaction sites compared to existing molded adsorbents, thus providing high lithium adsorption efficiency.

Abstract: A polyolefin microporous membrane is produced by forming a gel-like molding using a polyolefin resin containing polypropylene, and stretching the molding in at least one direction, followed by washing, the polyolefin microporous membrane having an injection of electrolyte of 20 seconds or less and a uniform polypropylene distribution in at least one plane perpendicular to the thickness direction.

Abstract: A polymer sheet includes a polyurethane core. The polyurethane core has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The polymer sheet can have at least one functional layer overlying a major surface. The polymer sheet has a thickness tPS. The polyurethane core has a thickness tPC. In embodiments tPC can be at least 0.3 tPS. The polyurethane core can have at least one of the following property: (i) a Scratch Resistance Rating, as further described herein, of not greater than about 10 wt %, (ii) an elongation at break of at least 200%, (iii) a tensile strength at break of at least 0.3 MPa, (iv) a loss of tensile strength of not greater than about 30% when exposed to UV light according to standard SAE J1960 (Rev. August 2003). The polymer sheet can be used for gaskets or bonding tapes.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a propylene-based resin microporous film capable of forming a high-performance lithium ion battery. The method for producing a propylene-based resin microporous film includes an extrusion step of melt-kneading a propylene-based resin in an extruder, and extruding the resin to obtain a propylene-based resin film; a first stretching step of uniaxially stretching the propylene-based resin film at a surface temperature of ?20 to 100° C.; second stretching step of repeating, a plurality of times, a stretching basic step in which the propylene-based resin film after the first stretching step is uniaxially stretched at a surface temperature that is equal to or lower than a temperature lower than the melting point of the propylene-based resin by 10 to 100° C.

Abstract: Improved integrally skinned asymmetric membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration, and their methods of preparation and use are disclosed. Membranes are formed from polyimides by phase inversion and are then crosslinked by addition of amine crosslinking agents that react with the imide groups of the polyimide, creating amide bonds. These stabilize the membranes and allow solvent nanofiltration to be maintained even in the solvents from which the membranes were formed by phase inversion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermo formed poly(biphenyl ether sulfone) foam article which comprises following three steps: Step 1. preparing a poly(biphenyl ether sulfone) foamable composition [composition (FP)], foaming the composition (FP) to yield a foamed poly(biphenyl ether sulfone) material [foam (P) material], and Step 2. molding said foam (P) material under the effect of heat and pressure to provide a thermoformed foamed article. Step 3. molding said foam (P) material under the effect of heat and pressure to provide a thermoformed foamed article.

Abstract: A polymeric sheet comprising: a first surface and a second surface; and a first embossed pattern on at least one of the first surface or the second surface and method of preparing same is provided. In one aspect, the sheet comprises at least two protrusions, the at least two protrusions direct, impede, and/or control gas movement between the at least two protrusions when arranged in contact with a surface and externally compressed. In another aspect, the sheet is at least partially cross-linked and/or foamed.

Abstract: This invention provides a fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate having flow channels on faces of the plate, comprising an electrically conductive polymer composite. The composite is composed of (A) at least 50% by weight of a conductive filler, comprising at least 5% by weight reinforcement fibers, expanded graphite platelets, graphitic nano-fibers, and/or carbon nano-tubes; (B) polymer matrix material at 1 to 49.9% by weight; and (C) a polymer binder at 0.1 to 10% by weight; wherein the sum of the conductive filler weight %, polymer matrix weight % and polymer binder weight % equals 100% and the bulk electrical conductivity of the flow field or bipolar plate is at least 100 S/cm. The invention also provides a continuous process for cost-effective mass production of the conductive composite-based flow field or bipolar plate.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a composite semipermeable membrane in which water permeability and salt-blocking rate cannot deteriorate by long-term storage, and at providing a process for producing the same. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane having a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support, the skin layer including a polyamide resin obtained by interfacial polymerization of a polyfunctional amine component and a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein the porous support contains at least one kind of additives selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, and moisturizers, in an amount of 95% by weight or more with respect to the whole composite semipermeable membrane.

Abstract: A microporous membrane is made by a dry-stretch process and has substantially round shaped pores and a ratio of machine direction tensile strength to transverse direction tensile strength in the range of 0.5 to 5.0. The method of making the foregoing microporous membrane includes the steps of: extruding a polymer into a nonporous precursor, and biaxially stretching the nonporous precursor, the biaxial stretching including a machine direction stretching and a transverse direction stretching, the transverse direction stretching including a simultaneous controlled machine direction relax.

Abstract: A method for making a flat polymer foam having a core layer of nano-sized open, interconnected cells that includes saturating a solid-state polymer with a supercritical fluid, allowing the gas to desorb for at least 35 minutes, and then heating the gas-saturated solid polymer for at least 3 minutes while constraining the foam in the thickness dimension. Any skin layer formed on the exterior may be removed via polishing, thus creating a foam with an open structure from side to side. The foam can be used as a battery separator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polymeric matrices composed of protected amine compound residues and membranes composed from such polymeric matrices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a polymeric matrix comprising amine compound residues, acyl compound residues and protected amine compound residues.

Abstract: The invention relates to sole elements for articles of footwear, and systems and methods for manufacturing same. One embodiment of the invention includes a method of manufacturing a sole element for an article of footwear including the steps of forming a sole element preform, inserting the sole element preform into a press mold cavity, and press-forming the sole element preform within the press mold cavity to form a unitary finished sole element comprising a first region having a first density and hardness and a second region having a second density and hardness different from the first density and hardness.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is concerned with a stimuli-responsive polymer membrane and method of making the same. The method and making the membrane is a new one The entire body of the responsive membrane is a gel. Gels are used as membranes because they are permeable-swollen network. This disclosure discusses a new combination of cylindrical pores in a swollen network. When the network swells or shrinks the cylindrical pores open or close. Thus, inside the network, one can introduce ligands, function groups which due to specific interaction with some signaling molecules in the surrounding environment can cause swelling or shrinking the membrane and this way they open or close pores. With cylindrical pores in a gel there is the ability to regulate pore size in a broad range and an ability to arrange response by adding some functional groups inside the gel body.

Abstract: The present application relates to a porous thin film having holes, wherein the holes are formed in the top part and/or the bottom part of the thin film and the holes are linked to the pores of the thin film; and the present invention also relates to a production method for a porous thin film having holes, comprising the use of a particle alignment layer as a mould.

Abstract: A paving system for paving or flooring includes a top layer of a plurality of paving elements, and an underlayment support layer of a polymeric material configured into panels. The panels are suitable to support the paving elements, the panels having a generally planar support surface.

Abstract: A half closed thermoplastic folded honeycomb structure is described which is produced from a continuous web of material by plastic deformation perpendicular to the plane of the material to thereby form half-hexagonal cell walls and small connecting areas. By folding in the direction of conveyance the cell walls meet to thereby form the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: The invention herein described is the use of a block copolymer/homopolymer blend for creating nanoporous materials for transport applications. Specifically, this is demonstrated by using the block copolymer poly(styrene-block-ethylene-block-styrene) (SES) and blending it with homopolymer polystyrene (PS). After blending the polymers, a film is cast, and the film is submerged in tetrahydrofuran, which removes the PS. This creates a nanoporous polymer film, whereby the holes are lined with PS. Control of morphology of the system is achieved by manipulating the amount of PS added and the relative size of the PS added. The porous nature of these films was demonstrated by measuring the ionic conductivity in a traditional battery electrolyte, 1M LiPF6 in EC/DEC (1:1 v/v) using AC impedance spectroscopy and comparing these results to commercially available battery separators.

Abstract: A graphene nanomesh includes a graphene sheet having a plurality of pores formed therethrough. Each pore has a first diameter defined by an inner edge of the graphene sheet. A plurality of passivation elements are bonded to the inner edge of each pore. The plurality of passivation elements defines a second diameter that is less than the first diameter to decrease an overall diameter of at least one pore among the plurality of pores.

Abstract: A method of reducing the diameter of pores formed in a graphene sheet includes forming at least one pore having a first diameter in the graphene sheet such that the at least one pore is surrounded by passivated edges of the graphene sheet. The method further includes chemically reacting the passivated edges with a chemical compound. The method further includes forming a molecular brush at the passivated edges in response to the chemical reaction to define a second diameter that is less than the initial diameter of the at least one pore.

Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and oxy-substituted phenyl compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and an oxy-substituted phenyl compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more oxy-substituted phenyl functional groups.

Abstract: A method of producing a microporous polyethylene film includes blending polyethylene and a membrane-forming solvent, stretching a sheet formed by extrusion through a die by stretching the sheet in the longitudinal direction at a stretching magnification of 1.1 to 2.0 and stretching the sheet simultaneously in the longitudinal direction and the width direction at an area magnification of 4 to 50, and removing the membrane-forming solvent.